Vertebral Column Flashcards

Functions of the vertebral column

Encloses and protects the spinal cord, supports the trunk and skull, and provides attachment for muscles of the back and ribs.

What holds the vertebral column together?

Ligaments

How many bones consist of the vertebral column in childhood?

33

True or movable vertebrae consist of:

Cervical, Thoracic, Lumbar

False or fixed vertebrae:

Sacrum, Coccyx

Anterior/posterior curves of the spine:

Lordotic - Cervical & Lumbar – convexed anteriorly; Kyphotic – thoracic and pelvic – concaved anteriorly

Lumbosacral angle:

Obtuse angle formed by the junction of the lumbar and pelvic curves. Steeper curve for females

Primary Curves:

Present at birth: Thoracic and Pelvic

Secondary or compensatory curves:

Develop after birth: Cervical and Lumbar

When does the Cervical curve develop?

Usually 3 to 4 months old when infant begins to hold head up

When does the Lumbar curve develop?

1 to 1 ½ years of age when child begins to walk

A slight lateral curvature is sometimes present in the thoracic region and is considered normal: which way will it curve?

To the RIGHT in a right handed person; To the LEFT in a left handed person

Two main parts of a Typical vertebra

Body – anterior mass; Vertebral arch – ring-like portion enclosing the vertebral foramen

Vertebral canal

Formed by the stacked vertebral foramina of the vertebral arches

Intervertebral disks:

Separates the vertebral bodies and form 1/4 of the length of the spine

Nucleus Pulposis

Central mass of the intervertebral disks

Anulus fibrosus

Fibrocartilaginous disk that surrounds the nucleus pulposis

The vertebral arch of the typical vertebra is formed by:

1. 2 pedicles 2. 2 laminae 3. 2 transverse processes 4. 1 spinous process

Pedicles

Short, thick processes that project posteriorly from the superior and lateral parts of the posterior surface of the vertebral body.

Vertebral notches

Concaved Notches in the superior and inferior surfaces of the pedicles

Intervertebral foramen

Opening for the transmission of spinal nerves and blood vessels. Formed by the vertebral notches (superior of one and inferior of another)

Lamina

Flat, broad projections extending posteriorly and medially from the pedicles

Transverse Processes

Processes that project laterally at the junction of the laminae and the pedicles

Spinous process

Process that projects posteriorly and inferiorly from the junction of the laminae; Posterior midline

Articular Processes

2 superior and 2 inferior process arising from the junction of the pedicles and laminae

Superior articular process

Superior portion of the articular process; Has an articular facet on the posterior surface for articulation of the inferior articular process of the vertebra above

Inferior articular process

Inferior portion of the articular process; Has articular facet on the anterior surface for articulation with the superior articular process of the vertebrae below

Zygapophyseal joints

Joint formed by the superior and inferior articular processes of adjacent vertebra

Which vertebra are considered typical cervical vertebra?

C3-C6; C7 has the typical structures with the exception of the vertebral prominens

What is the Atlas?

C1

What is the Axis?

C2

Describe the Atlas

Ringlike 2 lateral masses 2 transverse processes Posterior arch Anterior arch Transverse foramen (for vertebral artery and vein)

How do the transverse processes of the atlas differ from the rest of the cervical vertebra?

Longer than the others. They projects laterally and slightly inferiorly from the lateral masses

Where are the articular processes of C1?

On the lateral masses; Superior is horizontal, large and concaved to receive the occipital condyles; Inferior articulates with the superior articular process of C2

What is the atlantal ligament?

Extends across the ring of the atlas dividing into anterior and posterior portions. Holds dens anteriorly

What is the Dens

Odontoid Process; Strong Conical process extending superiorly into the anterior portion of the of the atlas; Serves as body or pivot of atlas

Superior articular process of C2

On each side of the dens; Articulate with the inferior articular processes of the Atlas

Vertebral Prominens

7th cervical vertebra; Similar to typical cervical vertebra except it has a long prominent spinous process the projects almost horizontally. Palpable land mark; Level with C7/T1 Interspace

Which vertebra are considered typical cervical vertebra?

C3 thru C6

Transverse processes of typical cervical vertebra

Arise from the body and arch; Short/wide; Have transverse foramina for arties and veins

The spinous processes of the typical cervical vertebra

Short; Double pointed (Bifid); Directed posteriorly and slightly inferiorly; Tip is at the level of the interspace below from the body they arise from

Articular Pillars

Short thick columns formed by the junction of the superior and inferior articular process where the pedicles and laminae unite

Zygapophyseal Joints of C2-C7

Articulation of superior and inferior process; Between the articular pillars; Lie at right angles to the midsagittal plane; Demonstrated on a lateral projection

Intervertebral foramen

Formed by the superior and inferior notches; Directed anteriorly at a 45 degree angle from the MSP and 15 degrees inferiorly; Demonstrated on AP or PA Oblique Projection of the cervical spine.

Thoracic Vertebral Bodies

Increase in size from 1 to 12; Superior resemble cervical bodies; Inferior resemble lumbar bodies

Typical thoracic vertebra

T3-T9; Bodies are triangular and deeper posteriorly than anteriorly; Posterior bodies have concaved surface; Have costal facets for head of ribs (costovertebral joints)

Demifacets or whole facets on Thoracic bodies for rib articulation?

Vertebra Superior Inferior T1 WHOLE DEMI T2 DEMI DEMI T3 DEMI DEMI T4 DEMI DEMI T5 DEMI DEMI T6 DEMI DEMI T7 DEMI DEMI T8 DEMI DEMI T9 DEMI T10 WHOLE T11 WHOLE T12 WHOLE

Transverse processes of thoracic vertebrae

Project obliquely, laterally, posteriorly; Has facet for articulation with rib tubercle (not 11/12) – costotransverse joints

Thoracic spinous processes

5 to 9 project inferiorly sharply and overlap; (Less vertical above and below 5-9); 5th-9th spinous process corresponds in position to the interspace below the vertebrae from origination

Zygapophyseal joints of Thoracic vertebrae:

(not T12/L1); Angle anteriorly 15 to 20 degrees and form angle of 70-75 degrees to the MSP; Demonstrated on AP/PA oblique

Thoracic Intervertebral Foramen

Perpendicular to the MSP; Demonstrated on Lateral Projection

Why do the arms need to be raise to right angles from the body for lateral projection

To elevate the ribs above the intervertebral foramen

Lumbar vertebral bodies

Bean-shaped; Increase in size form 1st to 5th

Spinous processes of lumbar vertebra

Large, thick, blunt and directed posteriorly at almost horizontal plane; Tips align with interspace below from which it arises

Mammillary process

Smooth rounded projection on the back of each superior articular process on Lumbar vertebra

Accessory process

Process at the back of the root of the transverse process on lumbar vertebra

Pars Interaticularis

Part of the lamina of the lumbar vertebrae between the superior and inferior articular processes

Zygapophyseal Joints of the Lumbar Vertebra

Form an angle of 30 to 60 degrees to the MSP; Angle increases from L1-L5; Average 45 degrees

Demonstrating lumbar zygapophyseal joints radiographically

45 degree AP Oblique projection demonstrates most average patients; 25% L1-2 seen on AP; Some L4/5 seen on lateral

Intervertebral Foramen of the lumbar spine

Situated at right angles to the MSP (except for 5th, turns anteriorly); Demonstrated on lateral projection

How does the first sacral segment differ from the others?

Resembles lumbar vertebra; Contains sacral base and sacral promontory; Has superior articular process to form zygapophyseal joint with L5

Atlantooccipital Joint

Ellipsoidal/freely movable; Junction of atlas and occipital condyles

Antlantoaxial Joint

Dens and atlas- pivot/freely movable; Lateral masses of C1 and Axis gliding/freely movable

Intervertebral Joints

Cartilaginous/symphysis/slightly movable

Zygaphophyseal Joints

Gliding/freely movable

Costovertebral Joints

Gliding/freely movable; Head of the rib and facets of the vertebral bodies

Costotransverse Joints

Gliding/Freely movable; Facets on transverse processes and tubercles of ribs 1-10

Ankylosing spondylitis

Rheumatoid arthritis variant involving the sacroiliac joints and spine

Clay Shoveler's Fracture

Avulsion fracture of the spinous process in the lower cervical and upper thoracic region

Compression Fracture

Fracture that causes compaction of bone and a decrease in length or width

Hangman's Fracture

Fracture of the anterior arch of C2 owing to hyperextension

Jefferson Fracture

Comminuted fracture of the ring of C1

Herniated nucleus pulposus

Rupture or prolapse of the nucleus pulposus into the spinal canal

Kyphosis

Abnormally increased convexity in the thoracic curvature

Lordosis

Abnormally increased concavity of the cervical and lumbar spine

Scheuermann Disease

Adolescent kyphosis; Kyphosis with onset in adolescence

Spina Bifida

Failure of the posterior encasement of the spinal cord to close

Spondylolisthesis

Forward displacement of a vertebra over a lower vertebra, usually L5-S1

Spondylolysis

Breaking down of the vertebra at the pars interaticularis leading to spondylothisthesis

The vertebral column articulates with the hip bone at the:

sacroiliac joint

How many vertebrae make up the vertebral column?

In adults Usually 26 vertebra In early life it consists of @33 small bones divided into 5 groups Cervical (superior) – 7 (disks in between) Thoracic – 12 (disks – in between) Lumbar – 5 (wide) (disk in between) Sacral - 5 (fused) Coccygeal – 3-5 fused

How many vertebrae are there in the sacrum?

5

When viewed from the side, the vertebral column presents how many curves?

4

Which of the following vertebral areas have a lordotic curve? 1) cervical 2) thoracic 3) lumbar

1 and 3 Develop after birth and function to stabilize the spine in an upright position and provide balance Cervical develops at 3-4 months when baby begins holding head up Lumbar – develop after child begins to walk (usually around 12 months) Convex anteriorly Lordotic curve

An abnormal increase in the curve of the thoracic spine is termed:

kyphosis Kyphosis Exaggerated Kyphotic Curve "Hunch Back" Sign of Osteoporosis Lordosis-

An abnormally increased curve of the lumbar spine is termed:

lordosis Lordosis Exaggerated lordotic curve "Sway Back" Lordosis Lateral view

An abnormal lateral curvature of the spine is termed:

scoliosis Lateral curvature of Spine Involves Both T&L spines Scoliosis Anterior view Lo liosis

The articulations between the articular processes of the vertebral arches are called the:

zygapophyseal joints Bony Anatomy Sup. Articular Process Spinous Process Inf. Articular Process Body

The short, thick processes that project posteriorly on each side of a vertebral body are called the:

pedicles Vertebral arch Spinous process Lamina Transverse process Facet Pedicle Body Vertebral foramen

Spinal nerves and blood vessels exit the spinal column through the:

intervertebral foramina

Which vertebral process projects posteriorly from the junction of the laminae and pedicles?

Spinous process Vertebral arch Spinous process Transverse process Facet Pedicle Body Lamina Vertebral foramen

The condition in which an intervertebral disk "slips" and protrudes into the vertebral canal is called:

herniated nucleus pulposus (HNP) Rupture of prolapse of the nucleus pulposus into the spinal canal

The first cervical vertebra is called the:

atlas Transverse foramen (for vertebral artery and vein) Lateral mass Posterior arch Transverse process Superior articular process Anterior arch Transverse atlantal ligament Superior aspect of atlas (C1).

The "vertebra prominens" is the name given to the:

7th cervical vertebra

The openings in the cervical vertebrae for the transmission of the vertebral artery and vein are called the:

transverse foramen

The intervertebral foramina of the cervical spine open:

45° anteriorly and 15° inferiorly

The zygapophyseal joints of the cervical spine are clearly demonstrated on which projection?

lateral Zygapophyseal joints

How many thoracic vertebrae have a small concave facet on the transverse process, for articulation with the tubercle of a rib?

10 T1 – T10 all articulate with the corresponding ribs 1-10 T11 & T12 do not have Facets on the transverse Processes.

The zygapophyseal joints of the thoracic spine form an angle of how many degrees with the midsagittal plane

70°-75°

How much is the body rotated from the lateral position to demonstrate the zygapophyseal joints of the thoracic region?

15º-20º